Learning process ongoing for Magnussen

Kevin Magnussen believes he has grown as a driver since the beginning of the year but knows there is plenty still to learn in his rookie year and beyond.

Magnussen's F1 career started with a podium on his debut in Australia, though the Dane and McLaren have fallen down the pecking order since that race. His highest position since is a pair of seventh-place finishes in Austria and Great Britain but Magnussen feels like he has the tools to kick on in the second half of the year with renewed form.

"It's difficult really to pick out one point where I feel like I've improved," Magnussen said. "It's kind of just everything as a Formula One driver, it's quite a different job to being a racing driver in any other thing. So I just feel like I'm learning about the car and the races; they're much longer than what I'm used to and you use more tyres in the races and more pit stops and so on, so everything is more complex and bigger.

"You have to get used to it and I don't think you'll ever stop - if you ask Jenson I'm sure he's still learning even though he's the most experienced driver - so I think it's going well and I'm looking forward to the last half of the season."

Magnussen says the summer break has come at the perfect time for McLaren to recharge their batteries and try to climb up the pecking order.

"The whole team now has the opportunity to take a break, rest and return feeling stronger than ever. I want to thank everybody for their hard work, spirit and determination throughout these first 11 races - we can come back and achieve better things in the second half of the year."